Introduction
Classic Sega Game Revenge of Shinobi was first released in 1989 for Sega Genesis and was the second title to debut in the Shinobi series. The game had become a cult classic and is considered a key part of the 8-bit gaming age. The side-scrolling platform-adventure game was highly praised by the gaming press at the time of its initial release, and its popularity has endured through the decades. Sega has now announced that Revenge of Shinobi has been re-released for modern platforms including Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch platforms.
Gameplay
Revenge of Shinobi is a side-scrolling, action adventure game featuring a ninja protagonist traversing nine stages set in cities, forests, and temples across Japan. The player has full control of the character as he defeats enemies, dodges obstacles, and collects items by jumping off platforms, climbing vines, and leaping across small ponds. The goal is to reach the end of each stage and eventually defeat an evil gang that appears in each level. Throughout the course of the game, the player must collect power-ups such as health medicines, coins, and bonus points. Combat is the main focus of the game, and the player can attack their opponents with Shinobi stars, swords, and high-powered shuriken.
Plot
The story of Revenge of Shinobi follows Joe Musashi, a member of the Oboro School of Ninja Arts and the leader of the Shinobi forces. He is sent by his master to rid the world of the Neo-Zeed gang, a powerful criminal syndicate with ties to the Yakuza. Joe is out for revenge, as Neo-Zeed was responsible for murdering the Oboro clan and kidnapping Joe's fiancée. With his Shinobi skills and ninja tools, Joe embarks on a mission to save the world and reclaim the love of his life.
Modern Platform Release
The re-released version of Revenge of Shinobi for modern consoles is largely similar to the original Sega release. The graphics have been modernized and the game appears to be viewed from a slightly zoomed-out perspective, but the game feels as if it has been developed for modern gaming platforms. The soundtrack has been remastered and updated, though the themes remain faithful to the original track. Most of the game’s levels, enemies, and boss battles remain in their original form but with smoother animations. There are some new features, such as a new “high score” feature, a modernized level selection screen, and the ability to customize Joe with different costumes.
Reception
The re-release of Revenge of Shinobi on modern platforms has been well-received by both long-time fans of the original game and members of the gaming press. The game is praised as a faithful recreation of the original, while also taking into account advances in gaming technology to update the game’s visuals and gameplay mechanics. Fans of the original are thrilled to have the opportunity to revisit a classic title, while new gamers are discovering a side-scrolling classic for the first time.
Revenge of Shinobi has been re-released for modern gaming platforms and has been met with great enthusiasm. Gamers of all ages can now enjoy a classic Sega title with modern features and graphics. The game is a testament to the impact of 8-bit gaming, and is sure to bring back fond memories to those who were around to enjoy it in the days of its original release.
